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Herman three clear in Australia

Fri 5th, February 2010

Victoria, Australia (Sports Network) - Jim Herman posted a two-under 70 Friday to take a three-stroke lead after two rounds of the Moonah Classic.

Herman finished 36 holes at 12-under-par 132. After a course-record 62 on Thursday, Herman's two-day total of 132 set a new 36-hole scoring record. Miguel Angel Carballo and Michael Sim shared the old mark of 136.

Australian Steven Jones carded a five-under 67 and is alone in second place at minus-nine. Andrew Buckle and Fabian Gomez both shot 68 in the second round to move into a share of third at seven-under-par 137.

Herman, who carded 10 birdies in his opening round, got off to a steady start with five straight pars. His first birdie came on the par-four sixth on the Open Course at Moonah Links.

The 32-year-old cruised to seven consecutive pars around the turn. Herman's only other birdie came on the par-four 14th. He closed with four straight pars to set the new 36-hole scoring record by four strokes.

"It was a quick turnaround for me, which is nice. I like having the late-early tee times," admitted Herman. "It helped keep the momentum going, so that was a good thing for me."

Herman has completed the first 36 holes bogey-free, which is pretty impressive as the Open Course ranked as the fourth hardest on the Nationwide Tour last year.

"I think that is the high point right now, staying bogey-free," Herman said. "There are plenty of birdie opportunities, but not to give any back is pretty fulfilling for me."

Jones opened with a bogey on the first, but quickly rebounded with birdies on three and four to get to five-under. He reeled off seven straight pars around the turn.

The Australian, who turned 26 on Wednesday, poured in three birdies in a four- hole stretch from the 12th to jump to eight-under. Jones finished three back thanks to a birdie on the par-five closing hole.

"I haven't been in this position lately, I haven't been playing that well," admitted Jones. "It will take a bit of getting used to, but I'm pretty confident with the way I'm hitting it at the moment so as long as I can just not get caught up in all the externals and just focus on what I need to do then I think I'll be alright."

Australians Steven Bowditch (68) and Andre Stolz (72) share fifth place at six-under-par 138 with Canadian Jon Mills (70) and American Doug LaBelle II (69). Five players, four Aussies and one New Zealander, are one shot back at minus-five.

NOTES: Defending champion Alistair Presnell is tied for 17th at minus-three after carding a 70 on Friday...Last week's winner Robert Gates managed an even-par 72 and is tied for 37th at minus-one...The cut line fell at one-over- par 145 with 75 players moving on to the weekend...Last year's runner-up Peter O'Malley missed the cut by three strokes, while 2008 champion Ewan Porter missed the weekend by eight strokes.